Hamworthy Supplies Asian FSRU

Friday, November 19, 2010

Hamworthy has secured the contract to supply liquefied natural gas handling technology for what will be Asia’s first Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU).

The marine and offshore fluid handling systems specialist has signed a contract with Golar LNG to deliver a liquefied natural gas regasification system for the West Java FSRU, which will be Indonesia's first LNG regasification terminal.

In October, Golar LNG Energy announced that it had been selected by PT Nusantara Regas, a joint venture between Pertamina and PGN, to provide the West Java FSRU. The project will see the existing LNG carrier Khannur converted into a floating terminal that can be situated offshore or at a new or purpose-built jetty/pier. The FSRU will receive LNG from offloading LNG carriers and the onboard regasification system will provide gas send-out through pipelines to shore.

As part of a letter of intent, Golar will enter into a long term time charter for the lease of the FSRU and associated mooring until the end of 2022, with provision for automatic extension options to 2025.

The Golar group has already completed two FSRU conversions over the last three years, with LNG handling equipment supplied by Hamworthy. The FSRU for the West Java FSRU Project will be similar in design to the latest of these projects, the Golar Freeze, recently delivered to Dubai.

As Hamworthy’s technology is based on an intermediate closed propane loop, using seawater as the heating medium for vaporising LNG, the equipment has a high level of efficiency and therefore requires less fuel and operating cost to regasify the LNG than steam-based systems.

“This will be our 5th FSRU project and we have gained invaluable operational experience that will benefit this new contract. In fact we have just completed gas trials onboard an FSRU being chartered by DUSUP/Shell, where we have again proven the operational flexibility of our patented system,” said Tore Lunde, Managing Director, Hamworthy Oil & Gas Systems. “Our experience and insight will be used in the new fast track project for Golar. The project will include further developments that will ease installation and reduce interfaces during the retrofit of the regasification equipment. Further development of the FSRU market looks promising as these vessels facilitate fast track gas deliveries to areas that currently do not have LNG receiving facilities.”